Bogotá's Economy Grows: New Data on Jobs and Business Activity 2025

Bogotá’s economy expanded by 3.5% in 2025, outperforming Colombia’s national growth rate of 2.6%, according to data from the city’s Economic Observatory. This growth was driven largely by construction, commerce, and cultural activities, reinforcing the capital's role as Colombia’s primary economic engine.

Economic Importance and Growth Drivers

As the nation’s economic powerhouse, Bogotá generated 25% of the country’s GDP and employed 19% of its workforce in 2025. The city’s growth reflects its strategic position, with key sectors such as construction and commerce playing significant roles. Cultural activities added momentum, indicating a diversified expansion beyond traditional industries. This makes Bogotá the department with the highest economic growth during the third quarter of 2025, with GDP increasing by 4.6%-or 4.7% according to the ITAED indicator.

Employment and Business Landscape

Employment data from the first quarter of 2025 shows Bogotá had an unemployment rate of 10.1%, with 4.25 million people engaged in work-an increase in employment compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, business dynamics remain robust; in 2024, Bogotá hosted 426,881 active businesses, 99.3% of which were micro, small, and medium enterprises. Notably, 66,961 new companies were created that year, with 42.4% featuring female legal representation, underscoring women’s growing participation in the business ecosystem.

These figures emphasize the diversity and resilience of Bogotá’s economic fabric, where small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of economic activity. The growth in female-led companies also signals progress toward broader inclusiveness in entrepreneurship.

Looking Ahead: Implications for Bogotá

Bogotá’s strong economic performance in 2025 positions the city as a critical leverage point for Colombia’s overall development. Continued investment in construction, commerce, and culture, paired with sustained support for micro and small enterprises, will be essential to maintain momentum. Employment improvements, though promising, point to potential areas for further job creation and workforce development to address the 10.1% unemployment rate.

Stakeholders, including city planners and business groups, might use these statistics to guide policies and programs that encourage entrepreneurial growth, especially among women, and invest in sectors contributing most significantly to the city’s GDP. Monitoring quarterly economic indicators will remain key to assessing the impacts of local initiatives and identifying new opportunities for Bogotá’s citizens and economy alike.

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